Otherside Leisure redesigns Thick As Thieves as a singleplayer expertise
Warren Spector’s (Deus Ex director) newest enterprise into the immersive sim style is present process a significant overhaul. OtherSide Leisure formally introduced this week that Thick As Thieves is abandoning its unique asymmetrical PvPvE design. As an alternative of the aggressive “thief-on-thief” motion that was first teased at The Recreation Awards 2024, the studio has determined to pivot the undertaking right into a devoted single-player and two-player cooperative expertise.
The sport is ready within the fictional Scottish metropolis of Kilcairn, a metropolis in an alternate 1910s the place steam-era know-how and arcane magic coexist. In its unique type, Thick As Thieves challenged gamers to tug off heists whereas competing towards three different human-controlled thieves for a similar prize. Nevertheless, Otherside said in a latest replace that because the world of Kilcairn got here to life, they discovered the core gameplay was extra participating when performed solo or with a accomplice. This redesign permits the workforce to “double down” on the dynamic stealth mechanics with out the balancing problems with a PvP sport.
This shift is predicted to strengthen moment-to-moment motion by enabling extra diversified environmental interactions and NPC behaviours. Gamers will nonetheless navigate the rooftops and shadows of Kilcairn, utilizing a mixture of devices and magic to incapacitate guards and supernatural safety. By eradicating the strain of rival gamers, the builders goal to offer a extra methodical and rewarding stealth expertise harking back to classics like Thief and Deus Ex. This redesign additionally strikes the sport away from the crowded “extraction” and PvPvE market, which has seen a number of high-profile struggles in early 2026.
The timing of this announcement comes simply forward of the Triple-i Initiative showcase on April ninth, the place a brand-new gameplay trailer is scheduled to debut. Hopefully, we’ll have an opportunity for followers to see how the cooperative heists perform with out the specter of player-controlled interference. Regardless of the novel design change, the sport stays on monitor for launch later this yr throughout PlayStation 5, Xbox Sequence X/S, and PC.
KitGuru says: It is a uncommon transfer for a contemporary studio, however probably the proper one. The PvPvE and extraction genres are oversaturated, making it extraordinarily laborious to face out. By transferring to a brand new style, Thick As Thieves may have a greater likelihood of being a hit.